Crimefighting Always Pays

Yes, the mail you received was real.

Yes again, Miss Lang has joined our ranks and we are very excited about it!

All the best,

What’s the deadline to confirm whether I’ll attend alone or with someone else?

We certainly understand your concern, and are glad to have alleviated some of it. We recently had to upgrade our own cybersecurity as well.

Preferred deadline would be 48 hours ahead, so we can adjust seating plans and ensure dietary restrictions are respected.

Thank you. Not sure either is all that fond of the comparion however, so we'll keep that comment between us. But please, feel free to share your congratulations with Miss Lang herself at the cocktail and/or following dinner.

Cordially,

Thank you for your kind words. I think I'll reply to your official invitation now.

I’d love to attend in a beautiful evening cocktail dress, but I hope you understand I must protect my identity and have no choice but to attend as Batgirl.

Looking forward to meeting Miss Lang there. I won’t mention Miss Lane, just in case.

Best,

I keep my expression steady as I stand in front of the glass, letting none of the alarm or skepticism show on my face. Inside my mind, I tighten my focus, reinforcing the mental barriers I’ve trained for exactly this kind of contact. I don’t accept what I’m being told at face value. Not from him.

“If what you’re saying is true, then there’ll be records. Logs. Medical documentation. Chain-of-custody reports for every procedure you’re describing.”

I think back carefully, keeping my tone controlled and deliberately non-reactive I shift my stance slightly, eyes flicking over the restraints, the guards’ positions, the cameras in the room. Everything is being recorded here. Everything always is. That’s the first thing I rely on.

“I’m not coming in here alone and I’m not removing oversight because you ask me to. If there’s abuse happening, it gets exposed through independent review. Not private conversations behind closed doors.”

I continue firmly, letting the boundary settle between us like a locked door. I pause just long enough to let that land. Then I add quieter, sharper.

“And if this is an attempt to isolate me or manipulate the situation, it won’t work.”

“No…”

This doesn’t feel right. An hour ago he was exhausted, barely able to walk. Now I’m supposed to believe he suddenly fought his way through a yard full of guards? I don’t buy it. I crouch beside the nearest guard, checking them over as I scan the area for tracks, broken restraints… anything.

“Tell me exactly what happened.”

Yes, the mail you received was real.

Yes again, Miss Lang has joined our ranks and we are very excited about it!

All the best,

What’s the deadline to confirm whether I’ll attend alone or with someone else?

I narrow my eyes at him.

“Why?”

A smirk creeps onto my face as I fold my arms.

“You find out my biggest secret and suddenly it’s beach vacations and relaxation? That feels a little suspicious.”

I shake my head and point at him.

“Be honest. You taking advantage of the fact you know something sacred now? Because I’ve spent years making sure nobody figured out who I am.”

I let out a short laugh.

“Okay, that’s fair. I guess I got so used to keeping the mask on that I never really thought about how many things it gets in the way of.”

A small smile crosses my face.

“Most people who find out my secret make my life harder, not easier.”

I look around the TARDIS.

“So you’re telling me there are all these places you’ve been wanting to show me, and you’ve just been sitting on that list this whole time?”

I shake my head, laughing.

I raise an eyebrow at him.

“I mean, I get it. Most of the time you see me, I’m climbing buildings, chasing bad guys or getting dragged into whatever crazy situation we’re dealing with. But that’s not all there is to me.”

I say and shrug.

“Yeah… I guess I can live with being ‘just me’. Most people don’t get that version very often.”

I let out a small laugh.

“And you’re right about the stress thing. I spend so much time worrying about what’s gonna happen next that I kind of forget what relaxing is supposed to look like.”

I shake my head.

“Hmm… I vote we find somewhere to put our stuff first. Then we can go swimming.”

I glance toward the beach.

I pause just inside the TARDIS, the doors still open behind me, letting in a slice of cold Gotham night that doesn’t belong here. Christmas lights glow along the console, blinking in soft, mismatched colors. Of course he did this. Of course. The blue box in his hands makes something warm and unfamiliar settle in my chest.

“I almost didn’t.”

I admit, my voice quieter than usual. I step fully inside and the doors close with that familiar thrum.

“Christmas in Gotham isn’t exactly… peaceful.”

I glance at the gift, then back at him, one eyebrow arching.

“You know it’s a terrible idea to give presents to people who fight crime, right? There’s always a catch.”

I smile anyway and reach out to brush my gloved fingers over the bow.

“Okay, that’s weird.”

I say and glance at the Doctor.

“Not sure how your spaceship guessed my size, and honestly I don’t wanna know.”

I set the batsuit down on a nearby bench for a second and zip up the jacket.

“Alright. First stop, my apartment. Backup suit, backup cowl, backup belt. Thank goodness I plan for disasters.”

I shake my head and look down at the folded batsuit.

“She took the mask, the belt and the symbol. She thinks that’s enough to be Batgirl. She has no idea what she’s actually trying to replace.”

My jaw tightens. I look back at him and nod towards the door.

“She’s making a statement…”

I scan them quickly, looking for any sign of movement.

“They’re still alive. At least for now.”

I say under my breath and force myself to look away. Every instinct tells me to go straight to them.

“She wants me to react. To chase her before I’m ready.”

I mutter and shake my head.

“No. I need my suit back first. If she’s wearing my gear, I can’t afford to go after her like this.”

I look at the Doctor.

“Call emergency services for them.”

I say, already starting to move.

I step inside and immediately wish I’d stayed outside another second.

The TARDIS is… a lot. Hearts, soft lights, chocolates, flowers… my brain stutters trying to process it all at once. I feel heat creep up my neck and suddenly I’m very aware of my boots on the floor, my hands, where to look.

I clear my throat and glance anywhere but at him.

“You… uh. This is… wow.”

I shift my weight, cape settling around me like a shield, and risk a quick look in his direction. My voice comes out quieter than I expect.

The Doctor looked around to make sure everyone was already as a bright light appeared on the ship and a few moments later, aliens were teleporting into the room, clearly having teleported off the ship. They were carrying weapons of some sort.

“Of course they have weapons.”

I shift my stance automatically, putting myself between the nearest guests and the newcomers. The date is officially over, apparently. My eyes stay locked on the aliens as I size up their numbers and equipment.

“Any chance your screwdriver tells you if they’re here to talk… or should I start looking for cover?”

“Yeah, figured talking was off the table…”

I mutter and peek around the edge, eyes flicking between the armed aliens and the terrified guests.

“Then they’re getting the wrong answer.”

"So, all of time and space, anything that ever was, or ever will be. Where would you like to visit? As long as it's not visiting your own person time line, we can go almost anywhere."

“Thanks, Doctor. So you weren't kidding me when you told me about a time machine…”

I say to the man as soon as I walk in what appears to be a conventional telephone booth.

“I've seen these in old British movies and TV shows. Can we… can we really travel through space and time in here? I’d love to see mom even for a few moments, but if you tell me it's not possible...”

“Careful, Doctor… I might start showing up more often than you expect.”

“I’ll try not to make a habit of surprising you too much.”

“I usually patrol on Halloween. The only night of the year you can see me patrolling different areas of the city at the same time.”

I look at the Doctor and answer with a smile.

“Careful. Keep complimenting me like that and I might start believing you.”

“Maybe. But hearing it from someone who’s fifteen hundred years old makes it sound a lot more official.”

A small smile tugs at my lips.

“Yep, I heard it.”

I call out.

“That’s never a reassuring thing to hear from you.”

I mutter and narrow my eyes at it.

“A tiny spaceship… guess size really doesn’t mean much out here.”